TOYOTA NEWS AND FEATURES 14 JULY 2017

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Toyota reaps the wind to make hydrogen
Toyota has launched a pilot project to use wind energy to produce hydrogen fuel. The sustainable energy scheme uses a 78m tall turbine in Yokohama harbour to generate electricity, which is then used to power hydrogen production to supply Toyota fuel cell forklift trucks. Read more here.

Shining addition to new Yaris range
The new Yaris range has added a special Yellow Edition Bi-tone model to its line-up, sporting sunshine-bright bodywork with contrasting black roof, front pillars, sills and front grille. It’s on sale now, available with 1.5-litre petrol or petrol-electric hybrid engines. Read more here.

New tech start-ups to benefit from $100 million Toyota investment
The Toyota Research Institute is investing an initial $100 million to launch a new corporate venture capital business that will provide early funding for promising new-tech start-ups. Toyota AI Ventures has already given backing to three technology companies, including the London-based SLAMcore. Read more here.

Toyota’s new Texas home
Toyota has officially opened its new North American headquarters in Plano, Texas. The $1 billion development brings together regional quality, engineering, sales, marketing, financial services and corporate functions in a single complex. Read more here.

Hybrid power sales surge
Sales of Toyota hybrids rose by an unprecedented 30 per cent in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2016. Half-year results show four in every 10 Toyota UK new car customers are opting for a petrol-electric hybrid model, with the new C-HR Hybrid crossover a major sales driver, both here and across Europe. Read more here.

Toyota robot provides home support to injured army veteran
A Toyota robot has been providing help around the home for an injured army veteran who is paralysed from the neck down. The “Human Support Robot” has completed a successful trial in the US carrying out chores and simple tasks around the house for ex-Ranger Romy Camargo. Read more here.

Aygo builds excitement
There’s a new-look Aygo x-cite this summer, standing out from the rest of the range with a bright red and black colour scheme – inside and out. The x-cite equipment specification has also been upgraded with the addition of automatic air-con and dusk-sensing headlights. Read more here.

Best of the Blog: Prius takes on Porsche 911 at the Nürburgring
Could a Toyota Prius outpace a Porsche around the legendary Nürburgring? The blog has learned how Toyota sports car fan Paul Thomas prepped his hybrid and posted a sub-10-minute lap around the famous circuit. Read more here.

Media website updates

No updates this week.

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